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Streamer software, what do you use?

I've noticed that pretty powerful PC hardware has been available for the last couple of years for cheap.  Say ~ $300 for a little desktop cube with 8 cores, 8 GBytes of RAM and plenty of storage.   You can run Windows or Linux (yeay!) and therefore I imagine just about any choice of software.

For Roon users this is a real boon as we can combine the core and streamer into a single device for far less than dedicated audiophile branded streamers.  I'm curious though what other software A'goners use?  The main requirement, IMHO is that it support remote control via tablets.  What do you use?

Do you use an outboard linear power supply or other tweak to improve the performance?

 

https://amzn.to/3QzOg6x

erik_squires
danmar123's avatar
danmar123
417 posts
 

Hello, I have a question. I have an Onkyo RZ 50 with bluetooth capability, & run Tidal thru my phone. Why would I buy Roon or any other software to stream? 

erik_squires OP
15,803 posts
 

Hey @danmar123

For one, you need your phone to be close by. Another is that Roon can integrate Qobuz, Tidal and a local library, as well as add DSP capabilities per end point.

Of course, Roon and dedicated streamer/DACs also let you stream the highest resolution of audio possible.

mclinnguy's avatar
mclinnguy
271 posts
 

Of course, Roon and dedicated streamer/DACs also let you stream the highest resolution of audio possible.

But that is not true. On my Antipodes bit-perfect Squeeze sounds more transparent and resolves better than bit-perfect Roon. I don't pretend to explain why, but it does. 

erik_squires OP
15,803 posts
 

@mclinnguy

 

But that is not true. On my Antipodes bit-perfect Squeeze sounds more transparent and resolves better than bit-perfect Roon. I don't pretend to explain why, but it does. 

I was speaking specifically about the bit rates.  Whether or not you feel there are better sounding systems is another story.

 

danager's avatar
danager
880 posts
 

@erik_squires

I realize this is a fairly old post but I've come across a software that turned my low cost PC into a a streaming power house.

The interface is really basic... I mean really basic but holy crap does this thing sound good.  AlbumPlayer 2.114

https://albumplayer.ru/

 

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